CHAPTER – 5

PERIODIC CLASSIFICATION OF ELEMENTS

In the beginning of 18th century Joseph Louis Proust stated that hydrogen atom is the building
material and atoms of all other elements are simply due to the combination of number of
hydrogen atoms. (It is to be noted that at his time the atomic weight of all elements were given
as whole numbers and the atomic weight of hydrogen was taken as one.)

DOBEREINER’S TRIADS
A German chemist Johann Wolfgang Dobereiner (1829) noted that there were groups of
elements with three elements known as triads. Elements in each group or a triad possess with
similar chemical properties. Dobereiner discovered that “the relative atomic mass of the middle
element in each triad was close to the average of the relative atomic masses of the other two
elements”. This statement is called the Dobereiner’s law of Triads.


In this table, atomic mass of sodium is equal to arithmetic mean of atomic masses of lihtium and
potassium. Similarly, atomic mass of strontium is equal to arithmetic mean of atomic masses of calcium
and barium.

LIMITATION OF DOBEREINER’S TRIADS:


All the then known elements could not be arranged in the form of triads.

The law failed for very low mass or for very high mass elements. In case of F, Cl, Br, the
atomic mass of Cl is not an arithmetic mean of atomic masses of F and Br.

As the techniques improved for measuring atomic masses accurately, the law was unable to
remain strictly valid.

NEWLANDS’ LAW OF OCTAVES

Newlands law of octaves states that when elements are arranged in the ascending order of their
atomic masses they fall into a pattern in which their properties repeat at regular intervals.
Every eighth element starting from a given elements resembles in its properties to that of the
starting element.
LIMITATION OF NEWLANDS’ OCTAVES:

Newlands’ Octaves could be valid upto calcium only; as beyond calcium, elements do not
obey the rules of Octaves.

Newlands’ Octaves was valid for lighter elements only.

It appears that Newlands did not expect the discovery of more elements than 56 which were
discovered till his time.
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
More than one element had to be placed in some of the groups; in order to place the
elements having similar properties in one group. But in order to do so, he also put some
dissimilar elements in same group.

Iron; which has similar property as cobalt and nickel, was placed far from them.

Cobalt and nickel were placed in the group with chlorine and fluorine in spite of having
different properties.

In spite of above limitations; Newlands was the first scientist who arranged the elements in
order of their increasing relative atomic masses.

INTEXT QUESTIONS PAGE NO. 81

Q1. Did Dobereiner’s triads also exist in the columns of Newlands’ Octaves? Compare
and find out.
Ans:
Yes. Lithium, sodium and potassium; beryllium; magnesium and calcium are two triads that
also exist in the columns of Newland’s octaves.

Q2. What were the limitations of Dِbereiner’s classification?

Ans:
Please see above notes

Q3. What were the limitations of Newlands’ Law of Octaves?

Ans:
Please see above notes

MENDELEEV’S PERIODIC TABLE

Mendeleef arranged the elements known at that time in a chart in a systematic order in the
increasing order of their atomic weights. He divided the chart into 8 vertical columns known as
groups. Each group is divided into A, B sub groups. Each column contained elements of
similar chemical properties.

The elements in the first column, for example, react with oxygen to form compounds with the
general formula R2O. For example, Li, Na and K when react with oxygen form compounds like
Li2O, Na2O and K2O respectively.

Elements of the second column react with oxygen to form compounds with the general formula
RO. For example, Be, Mg and Ca when react with oxygen form BeO, MgO and CaO.
Mendeleef tried to explain the similarities of elements in the same group in terms of their
common valency.

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THE PERIODIC LAW:
Based on Mendeleeff’s observations regarding the properties of elements in the periodic table,
a law known as the periodic law of the properties of elements was proposed.
“The law states that the physical and chemical properties of the elements are a periodic
function of their atomic weights.”

SALIENT FEATURES AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE MENDELEEFF’S PERIODIC

TABLE:

1. Groups and sub-groups: There are eight vertical columns in Mendeleeff’s periodic table
called as groups. They are represented by Roman numerals I to VIII. Elements present in a
given vertical column (group) have similar properties. Each group is divided into two sub-
group ‘A’ and ‘B’. The elements within any sub-group resemble each other to great extent.
For example, sub-group IA elements called ‘alkali metals’ (Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Fr) resemble
each other very much.
2. Periods: The horizontal rows in Mendeleeff’s periodic table are called periods. There are
seven periods in the table, which are denoted by Arabic numerals 1 to 7. A period
comprises the entire range of elements after which properties repeat themselves.
3. Predicting the properties of missing elements: Based on the arrangement of the elements in
the table he predicted that some elements were missing and left blank spaces at the
appropriate places in the table.

Mendeleef believed that some new elements would be discovered definitely. He

predicted the properties of these new additional elements in advance purely
depending on his table. His predicted properties were almost the same as the observed
properties of those elements after their discovery.

He named those elements tentatively by adding the prefix ‘eka’ (eka is a Sanskrit numeral
means one) to the name of the element immediately above each empty space. The predicted
the properties of elements namely eka-aluminium, eka-boron, eka-aluminium and eka-
silicon were close to the observed properties of Scandium, Gallium and Germanium
respectively which were discovered later.

4. Correction of atomic mass: the correct placement of elements in Mendeleeff’s

periodic table helped in correcting the atomic masses of some elements like,
Beryllium, Indium, Gold.
For example, At the time of Mendeleef, beryllium was given atomic weight 13.5.
Atomic weight = equivalent weight × valency

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 The equivalent weight of Be was found experimentally as 4.5 and its valency was
understood as 3. Therefore atomic weight of beryllium was given as 4.5 × 3 = 13.5.
With this atomic weight it had to be placed in a wrong group in the table. He said
that its valency should be only 2 and then its atomic weight then would be 4.5 × 2 =
9. If atomic weight of ‘Be’ is 9 it would fit in the second group and its properties
practically are similar to Mg, Ca etc., of the second group elements. He also helped
in the calculation of the correct atomic weights of ‘Indium’ and ‘Gold’ in this
manner.
5. Some anomalous series of elements like ‘Te’ and ‘I’ were observed in the table. The
anomalous series contained element with more atomic weight like ‘Te’ (127.6 u)
placed before the element with less atomic weight like ‘I’ (126.9 u). Mendeleeff
accepted minor inversions in the order of increasing atomic weight when these
inversions resulted in elements being placed in the correct groups.

It was the extraordinary thinking of Mendeleeff that made the chemists to accept the
periodic table and recognise Mendeleeff more than anyone else as the originator of the
periodic law.

LIMITATIONS OF MENDELEEFF’S PERIODIC TABLE:

1. Position of hydrogen: The position of hydrogen in the table is not certain because it can be
placed in group IA as well as in group VIIA as it resembles both with alkali metals of IA
group and halogens of VIIA group.
2. Anomalous pair of elements: Certain elements of highest atomic mass precede those with
lower atomic mass.
For example, tellurium (atomic mass 127.6) precedes iodine (atomic mass 126.9).
Cobalt and nickel: argon and potassium which were placed in table by deviating the basis
of classification (placement in ascending order of atomic masses).
For example, potassium (atomic mass 39) placed after argon (atomic mass 40).
Similar situation was found in pairs of cobalt and nickel and tellurium, iodine.
3. Dissimilar elements placed together: elements with dissimilar properties were placed in
same group as sub-group A and sub-group B. For example, alkali metal like Li, Na, K etc.,
of IA group have little resemblance with coinage metals like Cu, Ag, Au of IB group.
4. Some similar elements separated: some similar elements like ‘copper and mercury’ and
‘silicon and thalium’ etc are placed in different groups of the periodic table.
5. Position of isotopes: isotopes of elements are placed in the same position in the table.

INTEXT QUESTIONS PAGE NO. 85

Q1. Use Mendeléev’s Periodic Table to predict the formulae for the oxides of the
following elements:
K, C, AI, Si, Ba.
Ans:
Oxygen is a member of group VIA in Mendeleef’s Periodic Table. Its valency is 2. Similarly,
the valencies of all the elements listed can be predicted from their respective groups. This can
help in writing the formulae of their oxides.

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(i) Potassium (K) is a member of group IA. Its valency is 1. Therefore , the formula of its
oxide is K2O .

(ii) Carbon (C) is a member of group IVA. Its valency is 4. Therefore, the formula of its oxide
is C2O4 or CO2.

(iii) Aluminium (Al) belongs to groups IIIA and its valency is 3. The formula of the oxide of
the element is Al2O3.

(iv) Silicon (Si) is present in group IVA after carbon. Its valency is also 4. The formula of its
oxide is Si2O4 or SiO2.

(v) Barium (Ba) belongs to group IIA and the valency of the element is 2. The formula of the
oxide of the element is Ba2O2 or BaO.

Q2. Besides gallium, which other elements have since been discovered that were left by
Mendeléev in his Periodic Table? (any two)
Ans:
Scandium and germanium are the two elements that had been left by Mendeleef.

Q3. What were the criteria used by Mendeléev in creating his Periodic Table?
Ans:
The criteria used by Mendeleef were
(i) Physical and chemical properties of the elements.
(ii) Atomic masses in increasing order.

Q4. Why do you think the noble gases are placed in a separate group?
Ans:
Noble gases are also called inert gases because they have a complete octet and hence, are very
stable. They do not react with other elements due to their stability. Since they all are
unreactive, have complete octet and similar behaviour so they are placed in a separate group .

THE MODERN PERIODIC TABLE

Based on the modern periodic law, a number of forms of periodic table have been proposed
from time to time but general plan of the table remained the same as proposed by Mendeleev.
The table which is most commonly used and which is based upon the electronic configuration
of elements is called the long form of the periodic table. This is called the modern periodic
table.

Long form of the periodic table is a chart of elements in which the elements have been
arranged in the increasing order of their atomic numbers. This table consists of horizontal
rows called periods and vertical columns called groups.


The modern periodic table has also been divided into four blocks known as s,p,d and f
blocks.

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STUDY OF PERIODS
The horizontal rows are called periods. There are seven horizontal rows in the periodic table.
 First period (Atomic number 1 and 2): This is the shortest period. It contains only two
elements (hydrogen and helium).
 Second period (Atomic number 3 to 10): This is a short period. It contains eight elements
(lithium to neon).
 Third period (Atomic number 11 to 18): This is also a short period. It contains eight
elements (sodium to argon).
 Fourth period (Atomic number 19 to 36): This is a long period. It contains eighteen
elements (potassium to krypton). This includes 8 normal elements and 10 transition
elements.
 Fifth period (Atomic number 37 to 54): This is also a long period. It contains 18 elements
(rubidium to xenon). This includes 8 normal elements and 10 transition elements.
 Sixth period (Atomic number 55 to 86): This is the longest period. It contains 32 elements
(ceasium to radon). This includes 8 normal elements, 10 transition elements and 14 inner
transition elements (lanthanides).
 Seventh period(Atomic number 87 to 118): As like the sixth period, this period also can
accomodate 32 elements. Till now only 26 elements have been authenticated by IUPAC.

STUDY OF GROUPS

Vertical columns in the periodic table starting from top to bottom are called groups. There
are 18 groups in the periodic table.

First group elements are called alkali metals.

Second group elements are called alkaline earth metals.

Groups three to twelve are called transition elements .

Group 1, 2 and 13 - 18 are called normal elements or main group elements or

representative elements .

Group 16 elements are called chalcogen family (except polonium).

Group 17 elements are called halogen family.

Group 18 elements are called noble gases or inert gases.
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
The lanthanides and actinides which form part of the group 3 are called inner transition
elements.

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CHARACTERISTICS OF MODERN PERIODIC TABLE
CHARACTERISTICS OF PERIODS
In a period, the electrons are filled in the same valence shell of all elements.
As the electronic configuration changes along the period, the chemical properties of the
elements also change.
Atomic size of the elements in a period decreases from left to the right.
In a period, the metallic character of the element decreases while their non-metallic character
increases.

CHARACTERISTICS OF GROUPS
The elements present in 2 and 18 groups differ in atomic number by 8,8,18,18,32.

The elements present in 13 – 17 groups differ in atomic number by 8,18,18,32.

The elements present in 4 – 12 groups differ in atomic number by 18,32,32.

The elements present in a group have the same number of electrons in the valence shell of
their atoms.

The elements present in a group have the same valency.

The elements present in a group have identical chemical properties.

The physical properties of the elements in group such as melting point, boiling point,
density vary

gradually.

Atomic radii of the elements present in a group increases downwards.

ADVANTAGES OF THE MODERN PERIODIC TABLE

The table is based on a more fundamental property ie., atomic number.

It correlates the position of the element with its electronic configuration more clearly.

The completion of each period is more logical. In a period as the atomic number increases,
the energy shells are gradually filled up until an inert gas configuration is reached.

It is easy to remember and reproduce.

Each group is an independent group and the idea of sub-groups has been discarded.

One position for all isotopes of an element is justified, since the isotopes have the same
atomic number.

The position of eighth group (in Mendeleev’s table) is also justified in this table. All
transition elements have been brought in the middle as the properties of transition elements
are intermediate between left portion and right portion elements of the periodic table.

The table completely separates metals from non-metals. The nonmetals are present in upper
right corners of the periodic table.

The positions of certain elements which were earlier misfit (interchanged) in the
Mendeleev’s periodic table are now justified because it is based on atomic number of the
elements.

Justification has been offered for placing lanthanides and actinides at the bottom of the
periodic table.

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DEFECTS IN THE MODERN PERIODIC TABLE

Position of hydrogen is not fixed till now.

Position of lanthanides and actinides has not been given inside the main body of periodic
table.

It does not reflect the exact distribution of electrons of some of transition and inner
transition elements.

INTEXT QUESTIONS PAGE NO. 90

Q1. How could the Modern Periodic Table remove various anomalies of Mendeléev’s
Periodic Table?
Ans:
1. The fundamental basis for Modern Periodic Table is atomic number and not atomic mass
and hence, it is more accurate.
2. Properties of elements could be well explained when they were arranged according to their
increasing atomic number in the Modern Periodic Table.
3. A separate group for noble gases could be created when noble gases were discovered.
4. Hydrogen has been given a unique position in the Modern Periodic Table at the top left
corner because of its unique properties.

Q2. Name two elements you would expect to show chemical reactions similar to
magnesium. What is the basis for your choice?
Ans:
Magnesium (Mg) belongs to group 2 of Modern Periodic Table, known as alkaline earth metal
family. The two other elements belonging to the same group are beryllium (Be) and calcium
(Ca).
Calcium and magnesium; Beryllium and magnesium - This is because both of them have
electronic configuration similar to Mg
Mg K L M
2 8 2
Ca K L M N
2 8 8 2
Be K L
2 2
These elements belong to the same group and hence, will show similar properties.

Q3. Name
(a) three elements that have a single electron in their outermost shells.
(b) two elements that have two electrons in their outermost shells.
(c) three elements with filled outermost shells.
Ans:
(a) Li Na K
2, 1 2, 8, 1 2, 8, 8,1
(b) Mg Ca
2, 8, 2 2, 8, 8, 2
(c) He Ar Ne
2 2,8 2, 8, 8

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Q4. (a) Lithium, sodium, potassium are all metals that react with water to liberate
hydrogen gas. Is there any similarity in the atoms of these elements?

(b) Helium is an unreactive gas and neon is a gas of extremely low reactivity. What, if
anything, do their atoms have in common?
Ans:
(a) Li, Na, and K have one electron in their outermost shell.
Li 2, 1 (Atomic number 3)
Na 2, 8, 1 (Atomic number 11)
K 2, 8, 8, 1 (Atomic number 19)
(b) They both have completely filled outer shell.

K L
He 2 (Atomic number 2)
Ne 2 8 (Atomic number 10)

Q5. In the Modern Periodic Table, which are the metals among the first ten elements?
Ans:
Metals among the first ten elements are lithium and beryllium.

Q6. By considering their position in the Periodic Table, which one of the following
elements would you expect to have maximum metallic characteristic?
Ga Ge As Se Be
Ans:
The position of the given elements in the Periodic Table is as.
Ga Ge As Se Br
(Most metallic) → (Least metallic)
On moving from left to right in a period, size decreases due to increase in effective nuclear
charge and hence, tendency to lose electron, i.e., metallic character decreases. Thus Ga has
maximum metallic characteristic or metallic nature.

EXERCISE QUESTIONS PAGE NO. 91 and 92

Q1. Which of the following statements is not a correct statement about the trends when
going from left to right across the periods of periodic Table.
(a) The elements become less metallic in nature.
(b) The number of valence electrons increases.
(c) The atoms lose their electrons more easily.
(d) The oxides become more acidic.
Ans:
(c) On moving from left to right, the atomic number increases and hence, the nuclear charge
increases. With the increase of nuclear charge, the force binding the electron increases so the
atom lose the electrons with more difficulty, not easily.

Q2. Element X forms a chloride with the formula XCl2, which is a solid with a high
melting point. X would most likely be in the same group of the Periodic Table as
(a) Na (b) Mg (c) AI (d) Si
Ans:
(b) The formula of chloride is XCl2 that means the valency of the element X is 2. The element
having valency 2 will present in group 2. Out of given choices magnesium (Mg) belongs to
group 2.

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Q3. Which element has
(a) two shells, both of which are completely filled with electrons?
(b) the electronic configuration 2, 8, 2?
(c) a total of three shells, with four electrons in its valence shell?
(d) a total of two shells, with three electrons in its valence shell?
(e) twice as many electrons in its second shell as in its first shell?
Ans:
(a) Noble gases are the elements which have completely filled shells. The noble gas with two
shells is Ne having atomic number 10 and electronic configuration 2, 8 both of which are
completely filled.
(b) Electronic configuration 2, 8, 2 suggests that atomic number is 12 (2 + 8 + 2), magnesium
(Mg) has atomic number 12.
(c) The element with three shells and form electrons in the valence shell will have electronic
configuration 2, 8, 4. The atomic number of this element is 14 (2 + 8 + 4) so it will belong to
group 14 hence, it is silicon (Si).

(d) Element with two shells with 3 electrons in the valence shell will exist in second period and
will have the electronic configuration 2,3. The atomic number of this element will be 5 (2 + 3).
So, it will be bron (B).

(e) The element has two shells. we know that first shell can have only 2 electrons, so according
to the question there will be 4 electrons (double the number of electrons in first shell). The
electronic configuration will be 2, 4 , so the atomic number is 6. Hence, the element is carbon
(C).

Q4. (a) What property do all elements in the same column of the Periodic Table as boron
have in common?
(b) What property do all elements in the same column of the Periodic Table as fluorine
have in common?
Ans:
(a) All elements of 13th group, in which boron is present, have 3 electrons in their valence
shell (2, 8, 3).
(b) Fluorine belongs to 17th group. All elements of this group have 7 electrons in their valence
shell (2, 8, 7). They all show a valency of 1 in their compounds.

Q5. An atom has electronic configuration 2, 8, 7.

(a) What is the atomic number of this element?
(b) To which of the following elements would it be chemically similar? (Atomic numbers
are given in parentheses.) N(7) F(9) P(15) Ar(18)
Ans:
(a) Atomic number of atom = 2 + 8 + 7 =17
(b) It will be similar to fluorine which is also having 7 electrons in its valence shell [F (2, 7)].

Q6. The position of three elements A, B and C in the Periodic Table are shown below –
Group 16 Group 17
--- ---
--- A
--- ---
B C
(a) State whether A is a metal or non-metal.
(b) State whether C is more reactive or less reactive than A.
(c) Will C be larger or smaller in size than B?
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(d) Which type of ion, cation or anion, will be formed by element A?
Ans:
(a) Since, A belongs to group 1 valence electrons so it is a non-metal because it will gain
electron to complete its octet.

(b) C lies below A and in the same group. As we move down in a group, the size increases and
electronegative character decreases. With the increase in electronegative character, the electron
adapting tendency and hence the reactivities decrease so, C is less reactive than A.

(c) C is smaller than B in size because as we move left to right in a period atomic size
decreases.

(d) As discussed in part (a) that element A has a tendency to gain electron to complete its octet.
It needs to take up one electron, so it will form anion (A−).

Q7. Nitrogen (atomic number 7) and phosphorus (atomic number 15) belong to group 15
of the Periodic Table. Write the electronic configuration of these two elements. Which of
these will be more electronegative? Why?
Ans:
(a) Electronic configuration of nitrogen and phosphorus:
K L M
N 2, 5
P 2, 8, 5
(b) N will be more electronegative than P as electronegativity decreases on going down a group
in case of non-metals.

Q8. How does the electronic configuration of an atom relate to its position in the Modern
Periodic Table?
Ans:
The number of valence electrons in an atom of an element tells us the group number. e.g., Na
has atomic number 11
Electronic configuration of Na (11) = K L M
2 8 1
It has one electron in its last shell, thus it belongs to group I of the Periodic Table.
The number of shells in its electronic configuration tells the period number e.g., Na shows 3
shells K, L, M so it belongs to 3rd period of the Periodic Table.

Q9. In the Modern Periodic Table, calcium (atomic number 20) is surrounded by
elements with atomic numbers 12, 19, 21 and 38. Which of these have physical and
chemical properties resembling calcium?
Ans:

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From the electronic configuration written above we can see that element with atomic number
12 and 38 have 2 electrons in their last shell like calcium. So, they will resemble Ca in their
physical and chemical properties.

Q10. Compare and contrast the arrangement of elements in Mendeléev’s Periodic Table
and the Modern Periodic Table.
Ans:
Mendeleev’s periodic table Modern periodic table
1. Elements are arranged in the increasing 1. Elements are arranged in the increasing
order of their atomic masses. order of their atomic numbers.
2. There are a total of 7 groups (columns) 2. There are a total of 18 groups
and 6 periods (rows). (columns) and 7 periods (rows).
3. Elements having similar properties 3. Elements having the same valence shell
were placed directly under one another. are present in the same period while
elements having the same number of
valence electrons are present in the
same group.
4. The position of hydrogen could not be 4. Hydrogen is placed above alkali metals.
explained.
5. No distinguishing positions for metals 5. Metals are present at the left hand side
and non-metals. of the periodic table whereas non-
metals are present at the right hand
side.

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